# Cardinal Health (CAH) Forecast Calculator

Interactive five-year financial forecast and DCF for Cardinal Health. Adjust revenue growth, margins, capex, and WACC to update revenue, free cash flow, and enterprise value.

- Canonical: https://finamodel.com/companies/cardinal-health/forecast
- Industry: Healthcare
- Forecast start year: 2026

## Historical data

| Year | Revenue | Free cash flow | EBITDA | Net income |
|---:|---:|---:|---:|---:|
| 2021 | 145534000000 | 2394000000 | 3060000000 | 1363000000 |
| 2022 | 152922000000 | 1585000000 | -3185000000 | -3696000000 |
| 2023 | 162467000000 | 2029000000 | 1255000000 | 611000000 |
| 2024 | 181326000000 | 2788000000 | 85000000 | -938000000 |
| 2025 | 204979000000 | 2363000000 | 1444000000 | 330000000 |

## Frequently asked questions

### What does Cardinal Health do?

Cardinal Health is a global healthcare services and products company that provides customized solutions for various healthcare providers. It primarily distributes pharmaceuticals and medical products and also manufactures proprietary medical and surgical supplies.

### What are the main revenue drivers for Cardinal Health?

The primary revenue driver for Cardinal Health is its Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions segment, which accounts for approximately 88% of its total revenue. The company operates an asset-light, high-volume distribution model, with growth in specialty distribution offsetting generic drug deflation.

### What are the key financial model assumptions for Cardinal Health's profitability?

Key profitability assumptions in the financial model include a COGS as a percentage of revenue of approximately 95%, indicating a low gross margin business. Selling, General, and Administrative (SGA) expenses are modeled at roughly 2.7% of revenue, reflecting its high-volume, low-margin distribution model.

### How does Cardinal Health's working capital impact its financial model and cash flow?

Cardinal Health's financial model often reflects negative net working capital as a percentage of revenue, typically near zero or slightly negative. This profile is due to the company leveraging its massive purchasing power to extend payables, effectively using supplier credit to fund inventory and enhance cash flow generation.

### What is the forecast horizon for the Cardinal Health financial model and what are its main objectives?

The downloadable Excel model for Cardinal Health forecasts financial performance from FY2026 through FY2030. Its main objectives are to forecast equity valuation and cash flow generation, assessing whether margin expansion and specialty distribution growth can offset generic drug deflation and fund opioid settlement liabilities.

### What is Cardinal Health's capital expenditure strategy?

Cardinal Health's capital expenditure as a percentage of revenue is relatively low, ranging from 0.2% to 0.3%. Approximately 60% of this is for maintenance, while the remaining 40% is allocated to growth initiatives such as warehouse automation and new at-Home Solutions distribution centers.